Pier 66 Hotel Marina - Fort Lauderdale

Update: Hotel Now Closed for refurbishment until 2024

Earlier this year (February 2019), we were looking for a pre-cruise hotel before sailing out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. We chose this hotel as it was close to the cruise port and was directly on the inland waterway.

Pier Sixty Six has a 32-acre waterfront setting just three miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Whilst this hotel has a rather dated looking exterior, the interiors are light and bright with some contemporary touches.

The hotel includes regular hotel rooms plus Tower rooms offering panoramic views of the port. Due to ongoing refurbishments in the Tower at the time of our visit, we were allocated rooms overlooking the marina accessed via an open walkway.

The rooms were comfortable and clean but in obvious need of an update. However, the bed was one of the comfiest I’ve slept in at any hotel, with lots of lovely plump pillows.

One of the most impressive and memorable aspects of Pier Sixty Six was the staff., who went over and above to make our stay comfortable. For example, on check in we asked whether our rate was inclusive of breakfast. The receptionist, Gabby, advised that it wasn’t but that she would happily write us a coupon for complimentary breakfast. This was such a welcome surprise.

As we arrived early evening we decided to go out to find somewhere to eat. We didn’t have a car so walked along the path beside the inland waterway which led to the Pier 66 Marina. We hadn’t realised that the hotel ran such a big operation including a fine dining restaurant and casual eaterie. We decided on the Pelican Landing and arrived at sunset which meant a short wait. However we were shown to the lively bar and enjoyed a couple of cocktails while we waited. Food was great - my friends had the house special of fish tacos whilst I enjoyed the smoked brisket sandwich. Both were delicious. Views from the deck were fabulous and the atmosphere was great.

We had a good nights sleep and enjoyed our complimentary buffet breakfast the next day, although coffee/juice service was very slow (seemed under staffed). Check out however was horrendously slow as there was only one front of house staff dealing with both check in and check out and as it was a cruise arrival day they were very busy. We were eventually told after about 40 mins waiting that as we had registered a card and had no outstanding bill that we could just leave. There were no signs to this effect which would have been helpful.

As we had a late flight on our return from our cruise, I asked the Concierge, Leo, whether the hotel offered any solution. He advised us that we would be able to return and check in our bags into a luggage room for $20 per couple. This was the perfect solution for us.

Pier Sixty Six Hotel & Marina, Fort Lauderdale

We got a cab on our return (cost us $16 for a 5 min drive due to Port charges - not sure if this could have been done more cheaply by another method). The bellhops checked in our bags - 10 of them between us for $40 in total split between 2 couples. We were then allowed to use the beautiful pool area with pool towels provided free of charge. We caught the sun trolley outside for a tour of Fort Lauderdale - $1 pp per ride or $3 for unlimited hop on/off. Took us about 40 mins to do beach loop without getting off but if you had more time you have options of beaches, mall and other sights. We spent the remainder of the day around the pool with complimentary towels and sun beds. The pool area was pleasant with two adjoining pools both with waterfalls.

We hadn’t booked a transfer back to Miami International so asked the bellhops whether it would be possible to book a cab. They said that given traffic the meter would be running and could bump cost up. They suggested they book a shuttle for us at cost of $110 - we said it was too expensive so they “negotiated” over the phone and got them down to $95. I was a bit sceptical as I felt this would be more than the cost of a taxi but our friends wanted to do it so we agreed. The “shuttle” turned out to be a large private SUV driven by a surly 70 year old. Comfortable ride but erratic driver. I think it was “unofficial” and probably not licensed but got us to airport on time and in one piece although dropped at arrivals rather than departures. He was also quite rude as he was displeased with our $5 tip (being from U.K. we are never sure what is expected in terms of tips so went by what we would offer at Home.

We would definitely recommend this for a pre/post cruise stay in close proximity to Port Everglades Cruise Port.

Contact infopier66@pier66hotelmarina.com for further details